LWD

I'm on a bit of a roll right now. Coming off a 74, my low for the year, I was playing with my older brother and a couple of friends yesterday. It's been a hot and dry August, but some rain was in the forecast. We'd joked about it with our greenskeeper, Jeff, who's great, on the driving range. (When you're teeing off at 7:40, the driving range is pretty empty here at 7:00AM). Anyway, I made a couple of putts I probably shouldn't have, and missed a couple that I'd like to have had back, and ended the front with 9 straight pars. Jeff (greenskeeper) came by as we finished 10 (another par), just as it started to rain. In Texas, especially in August, any rain is a good rain, and this one didn't look to last long. Birdied 11, taking me to one under, when the rain turned harder. Stopped under some trees on the 12th tee (no lightning!!) and steadily got drenched. We finally decided even if the rain stopped, we were too wet to continue. When you're retired and can play whenever you want, you can do that.... But, one under after 11 only tells you what "might have been". I generally don't play on weekends, as I try to avoid taking tee times from people who work and can't play during the week. But I'm ready to get out there and put 18 holes together early next week! My game got better not from lessons, of which I've had a few, but from club fittings. My PXG 311 driver has really helped my game, as have my PXG Gen 6 irons. My fitter took his time getting the right clubs, and shafts, in my bag. This was two separate fittings, but well worth it. I have a Ping 430 SFT 7-wood coming in the next few days, joining my 430 SFT 3- and 5-wood, replacing my PXG 4-hybrid. My short game (PXG Sugar Daddy II 50*, 56* and 60*) keeps me competitive, and I try to make the most of it!

I'm ditching my 4-hybrid and adding a 7-wood into my bag. I have Ping 430 SFT 3- and 5-woods, and I love how easy they are to hit. I don't have a slice, but the SFT's work for me, without adding much of a draw. Prior to this, but just about two months ago, I added an Evnroll 11 to my bag and I absolutely love it. My putting, which was seriously struggling, has gotten so much better. I guess I'm constantly tinkering with my bag, but at 68 years old, I'm consistently a single digit handicap now (barely, at 9.1). My next purchase will likely be a Garmin rangefinder. The new Z30 ties into my Garmin Approach S62 watch, and I'm looking forward to giving that one a try. Maybe Christmas!

Absolutely! I choke down just a tad for accuracy. I choke down more (to a specific spot on my grips, related to the placement of the logo), to take 5 yards off. BUT, I also move my grip back almost to the butt of the shaft, when I need to "cut" the ball a bit. If I have a severe dog leg right, I'll alter my stance just a tad, too, but that doesn't always work out well, as I have overdone it on more than one occasion!

I replaced my 5 iron around three years ago, now carrying a PXG 5-hybrid. My next goal is to replace y 4-hybrid (also a PXG) with a Ping 430 SFT 7 wood. I carry Ping 430 SFT 3- and 5-woods, and they're really nice clubs. Easy to hit, and with lots of carry. The rest of my bag is PXG.

This is actually a fun process! I'm looking forward to trying the Tour B RX just to see what difference it makes. I've never used a ball fitting questionnaire before. Thanks Bridgestone and MGS!

I've never heard of these, so thanks for posting, and I'm very interested in your follow up. More spin from my wedges is a never ending quest. Looking forward to hearing more!

Two words: aging joints! I'm older and some days, my shoulder (severely torn labrum 15 years ago) kills me. When I'm swinging with fluidity, my game is pretty good. When I'm not, my game suffers. Sometimes, it suffers a lot. It's quite possible that I can (and have) occasionally shoot a "career score".

I've played with partners that were constantly fiddling with their iron covers. "Do you see my cover?" No. "Heck, I put my 8 cover on my 7, and vice versa", etc. My irons are about four years old, and they great. Maybe a few signs of wear on the heels and toes, but the sweet spot is untouched in several of them! Golf can be, and should be, played quickly. I've played 18 in under 2 hours (barely) when playing on a deserted course as a single. Don't be the guy holding your foursome back. Skip the covers!

My bag changes fairly regularly, as there's always something that needs tweaking. As I've aged, my needs have changed. But I'm hitting more fairways than ever, and that's a huge advantage. Playing the forward combo at least some of the time is also helpful. I'm one of those guys who prefers that my foursome plays from the same tee box if at all possible, in the interest of time. If it's not possible, and I'm the "short knocker" of the group then I have my driver, ball and tee in my hand and walk to my tee box after the guys on the back tees have hit. I can be in the fairway by the time they put their clubs in their bags and pull forward. Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Fairways: Ping G400 SFT 3-wood and 5-wood. I hit these long and straight. I tried a Stealth 3+ to see about a little more distance, but it's now resting in the garage. I'm thinking about upgrading to G430 SFT's before too long, but may wait for one more generation as these are still a game-changer for me. Hybrids: All of my hybrids are PXG 317 XF's, and I carry a 4, 5 and 6 hybrid. I added the 6 hybrid last, and that was a real game changer for me. I hit it long and straight, but can work the club a bit. I can get a nice punch shot with it (grip 2" down, lean club 2" forward, short back swing and short follow thru and the ball stays low.) Irons: Mizuno Hot Metal 921's, 7-PW Great irons. PW is a 46* Wedges: My newest additions. PXG Sugar Daddy 2, in 50*, 56* and 60*. So far, these have been great clubs. I traded in my Callaway Jaws 50* and PM2's (56* and 60*) on these, and have been very pleased. Putter: Another PXG, with the Blackjack putter. Admittedly, it was on sale and I was able to get fitted for it, so it helped my game. It can be a bit fickle at times, but it's still a nice tool to have in your bag. I have a "collection" in my back up bag, including two Scotty's, a Ping and an Odyssey. Always looking for "the solution"!